Tribe of Testimonies

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Lemikki Westlund - Port Gamble S'Klallam Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

Growing up in a teeeeeeeeny tiny Utah town has its benefits. One of those is that when you finally get yourself to the temple after a tumultuous youth, there will inevitably be loved ones there welcoming you. People who knew you when you were a rough stone. People who saw the gem in you. Lemikki Westlund was one of those rough stones. But now she holds fast to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has had so many personal witnesses in so many aspects of her life that she knows who she is--both by mortal blood as well as her spiritual heritage. She holds fast to her heritage. She holds fast to her parents. She holds fast to the scriptures. She holds fast to her husband and her children. She holds fast to our Savior, Jesus Christ. She knows that all the imperfections of this world can be perfected through Him.

Daniel Nehring - Monacan Indian Nation of Virginia Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

As we prepared for the Utah Gathering of Tribes, my friend and I put a few signs up in a couple locations. One of those locations was at the Trading Post in West Valley, Utah. Daniel Nehring doesn't frequently shop there. But, the day before the Gathering, Daniel was out and about doing some errands. As he was heading home, a very distinct prompting told him to stop at the Trading Post--no particular reason why. He called his wife and told her he'd be home a few minutes later. As he entered the Trading Post, the signs we had put up caught his attention. His heart immediately knew that the reason he was supposed to stop there was so he could connect with us, fellow Native American members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I felt connected to him as he introduced himself. And I feel connected to him as he describes his love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Daniel continues to try to serve our Lord through word and deed. You can hear his testimony of living the Gospel here.

Amy Fa'atoafe - Navajo & Hopi Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

Once upon a time, this sweet family wanted to upgrade their house to a little larger house. They had been working toward this goal for a long time. They prayed to Heavenly Father to help them find the right house. He told them it was in Utah! Whaaaat!?! Yes. So this sweet family moved from Mesa, Arizona, to Utah. And they have found peace and blessings along the way. Amy Fa'atoafe has been trying to live where Heavenly Father can use her as a blessing to others. She has served in various social service positions. She sees how the blessing of the Gospel has kept her safe and provided answers when she has needed it. She is aware of the gifts that Heavenly Father has given her, and by knowing her gifts, she is able in turn to bless others. She has learned that doing right eventually has its reward. I'm so grateful for Amy's living testimony.

Christopher Keel - Choctaw & Chickasaw Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

It's so awesome how when you go into a conversation with an open mind you can learn so many new things. And it's also amazing how you can find commonalities. I knew hardly anything about Chris, but those good things happened for me. Persistence was a word that Chris uses to describe his son. But I could tell from some of his own stories that he was already practicing that virtue. He talked with respect about his father and I could tell that his own children respect him for his efforts. He talked about dreams and goals. I could tell that he is slowly working on them. And he talked about enjoying life. Boy, that part of our conversation really struck me as an important word. "Enjoy." Heavenly Father really does want us to find joy. And his definition of "joy" is amazing: so much happiness that it is spilling out of you.

Sky Young - Navajo Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Sky is a son, a brother, a spouse, a father. He talks about each of these roles with so much love and devotion. In all, he talks with gratitude. I love how we can talk about doctrine and conjecture with reason. I love how we could talk about vision. Sky has been blessed with a willing heart. He recognizes that as he learns about what is in store for those he loves, he is also tasting what Heavenly Father has in store for him. He talks of his daughter's future, of his brother's destiny, and of the things he knows he can learn from his grandparents and other ancestors. And we talk about not always fitting in with others, but always fitting in with the Lord and His plan for us.

Joleen Begay - Navajo Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Growing up where I did, there were just a few other Navajos around. Joleen's family was one. I wanted to be like Joleen from the time I met her. She has always chosen to be kind, to love people, and to let the Light of Christ radiate from her. She's a single mother now, but that hasn't held her back. She has worked hard to be able to provide for her daughters. She has worked hard to get a degree and get a stable job. She has worked hard at teaching her daughters to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love her stories of her grandparents. One of her super fans asked me to interview her. I'm so glad it was the right time to do it. As I listened, my heart was happy, was excited, was nervous, was pondering, and was sorrowful. But my heart always swung back around to joy as she pointed out the great many blessings and miracles that she is able to stand and witness of--especially that of our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Leslie Rodriguez-Burnette - White Mountain Apache Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

There has already been a point in Leslie's life where she questioned her faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's probably hard in a daily environment where people don't want to talk about religion, where people put religion down, or where you are reminded again and again of un-Christlike uses of religion. But, with encouragement and an invitation, Leslie prayed and studied about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--and especially about Jesus Christ Himself--and realized that she does want this to be part of her life. She has a testimony of The Book of Mormon. And more importantly, she knows that Jesus Christ loves her individually and that He is helping her. Her faith continues to grow as she shares her testimony, as she seeks understanding, and as she attends church and the temple. I loved her perspective on faith.

Ah-in-nist Sipes - Cheyenne & Caddo Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

When Ah-in-nist Sipes decided to really find out if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true, he came with three questions. First, what is the real doctrine--if any--about the color of skin? Second, how does being a believing Cheyenne work with the teachings of the Church? Third, who really is Jesus Christ? Ah-in-nist describes how he found the answers to each of these questions. I love his journey. And he calls it that: a journey. He didn't just happen to stumble on the answers all in one day. He sought them out carefully, prayerfully, and diligently. Now he knows that being Cheyenne is exactly who he's supposed to be, who our Creator intended him to be, and who can do good in the world because he is. I love the way he talks about his parents, his siblings, his grandparents, his tribe, and his ancestors with great love and respect. This conversation is amazing.
Could I Honor My Heritage as a Descendant of Lehi? (churchofjesuschrist.org)

Mylo Fowler - Navajo Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

Mylo Fowler is a famous photographer. I wish we had time to hear more of his story. But I want you to hear how gratitude and stewardship led to more light in his life. Light now directs his life. Light leads his life through photography as well as his spiritual growth. Light. Don't block the light. Pay your tithing so heaven can shine its light down. Listen to the Spirit because you'll find even more light. So good! I love his relationship with his family, both blood and "adoptive." He's been blessed with so many people who opened their arms to him and who loved him just because that's what they do. I, too, want to be like that. Those people have shown him what it means to "belong." We belong together in the House of Israel.

Ralph Murrietta - Tohono O'odham Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

I don't know about you--but I have some theories about the Church, about some of the scriptures, and maybe even doctrine. But they're just theories. Ralph Murrietta had some theories about Jesus Christ before Ralph joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He presented them as a college student in a public speaking class. Because he was brave enough to do that, one of his teachers was brave enough to share a special book with him. It changed so many things in his life. He's always been a spiritual person, but the missing parts that the Gospel filled in his life have made him more satisfied and closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I love how he meshes the Gospel with the teachings of his heritage through prayer and pondering.

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